Whistleblowers actions 'disgusting', says Callinan

The actions of garda whistleblowers who produced information alleging widespread abuse of the penalty point system is "quite disgusting" the head of the force, Martin Callinan, has told the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

The Garda Commissioner is to seek legal advice ahead of the expected appearance of the whistleblowers before the committee next week, in what committee members said is an effort to block efforts to allow them provide evidence.

In strongly worded criticism of the people who released the information, Mr Callinan said: "I find it quite extraordinary. Quite clearly we have two people out of a force of over 13,000 who are making extraordinary and serious allegations, and there isn't a whisper from anybody else about this corruption, this malpractice and all those things they are alleging against their fellow officers. Frankly, I find it quite disgusting."

Independent TD Shane Ross pointed out that people who make these sorts of allegations "are always very rare, because they are fearful of their positions".

Mr Ross also rejected Mr Callinan's claim that the PAC should not be examining the allegations, which should have been dealt with through the Garda's internal processes.

"Your force is indulging this and it is happening on your watch. The person who should be examining this is an independent person," Mr Ross said.